Sweet as Pie (Spring Hills Book 1), стр. 43
All is going well, and we roll out the dough. Ryker reaches for the rocket ship cookie cutter, and just as he puts his hand on it, Tanner slaps his hand on top of Ryker’s and looks at him and says, “That’s mine, dude.”
Ryker looks back at him, pretending to be scared and slides his hand out from under Tanner’s. He nods. “OK. My bad. It’s yours.”
Tanner takes the rocket cookie cutter and sets it next to his station. Then he picks up a flower-shaped cookie cutter and hands it to Ryker. “Here, this one’s more your style.” And a hearty guffaw escapes my mouth, but then Tanner looks over at me. I guess he wasn’t trying to be funny. I bite my lip and turn to the other kids. “Which cookie cutters do you like?” Rachel opts for a truck, Shane chooses the heart, and Sam grabs a bear.
As the kids are busy cutting cookies out of the dough. I can’t help but steal glances at Ryker as often as I can. What’s not to like? He’s a young, hot, playful, sexy ’n’ hard, muscled billionaire. Who is also an amazing kisser. I mean, seriously. It kind of irks me that I’m not going for him, guns blazing. But alas, I can’t, and I sigh. I’m not getting into any relationship, or getting distracted, until I’m financially independent. With that settled in my mind, I return my focus to the class.
I put their cookies into the oven, and while they’re baking, the kids hang out at the counter. The boys are playing with their Baby Yoda figurines, and the girls are drawing on paper placemats with a set of washable markers I keep here for this purpose. Ryker is cracking jokes with the kids, and they’re laughing at him. And, although Tanner is pretending to keep an eye on Ryker, there’s no doubt they all like him.
Then, I glance over and see Ryker gently elbow Tanner. “So hey,” he says to Tanner and nods in my direction, “I kinda think Ms. Aspen is pretty. Do you think she’ll go out with me if I ask her? Maybe you can help me out. Talk her into going on a date with me.” Ryker winks at Tanner, and Tanner’s eyes grow wide. At first, he wrinkles his eyebrows. But when it sets in that Ryker has selected him to be his wingman, Tanner puffs with pride.
I pretend I’m not watching, but I’m listening to everything they say, and Tanner says to Ryker, “Yeah, she’s real pretty. But my ma is always warning how Ms. Aspen is a busy lady, and we’re not to give her any trouble.” Tanner eyes me, and I play like I’m busy with the girls, and he whispers to Ryker, “But maybe if you give her the cookies you make today… cuz she said how much she likes them, and it’s important to be a good listener. Women like that. Then maybe Ms. Aspen will go on a date with you.”
Ryker leans in and says, “Thanks, man. That’s a good idea. I’ll try it.” Tanner beams with so much pride he grows an inch, and my resolve to ignore Ryker’s flirting vanishes like a magician’s coin.
Before I throw myself at him, I leave Ryker with the kids and go into the kitchen to take the cookies out of the oven. As I transfer them to cooling racks, I hear Tanner say to the other kids, “Hey, Mr. Ryker has a crush on Ms. Aspen!” And they all fall into hysterical giggles.
Ryker laughs, “Dude, Tanner! Bro!”
Tanner replies, “Sorry, Mr. Ryker, I can’t keep secrets.” Ryker belts out a deep, hearty laugh that I can feel from the kitchen, and I quite literally swoon. My heart goes as soft as room-temperature butter, and my belly flutters.
I walk back out to the dining area with the ingredients for the icing, and I teach everyone how to mix up their own batch in a bowl. I also get out five different jars of sprinkles they can use, which garners a gazillion ooh’s and ahhh’s from the kids, with a few thrown in from Ryker as he looks at me… not the sprinkles. But he’s not fooling anyone, and the kids laugh at him, pointing fingers at him for fun.
Once it’s time to frost and decorate, they settle down and focus on their projects. While Ryker frosts his cookies, some frosting runs down his finger, and he looks at the kids to make sure no one is looking before he flashes his radiant emerald eyes at me. Then, he proceeds to seductively lick it off. My traitorous body springs wetness between my legs, and my pussy starts to throb. Shit. I cross my legs and shift my stance, trying to quell the desire flooding my nether region.
I lean on the counter for support, and he chuckles a low groan. The kids turn their heads to look at him, and he quickly recovers, “Hey kids, what’s your favorite animal sound? Mine is the silverback gorilla!” And he makes the groaning sound again, this time while beating his chest… still watching me. The kids laugh hysterically, and start shouting their own favorite animal sounds.
Good save, Ryker.
I fully admit it now.
I’m in trouble.
When the decorating is done, the kids have their cookies packed up in plastic baggies. As their parents come and get them, Tanner pulls Ryker aside and says, “Remember to give her your cookies.” They bump fists, and I crack up inside.
After a few minutes, it’s just the two of us in the bistro. Ryker strides over to the counter and sits down, looking at me like he’s plotting something. He takes his plate of cookies and pushes them toward